Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree is a shrub in the myrtle family, growing to a height of
about 20 feet. Tea tree oil contains over 100 plant chemicals and over 98
compounds. The most abundant of these is terpinen-4-ol which makes up at
least 30 per cent and has an important role in the oils antimicrobial
activity. Tea Tree oil or melaleuca oil is an essential oil with a fresh
camphoraceous odor and a color that ranges from pale yellow to nearly
colorless and clear.

The oil has been described as having a fresh, camphor-like smell. It is
steam distilled from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, which is native
to Southeast Queensland and the Northeast coast of New South Wales,
Australia where it is imported from. It has been used medicinally by
Australian Aborigines for centuries and was identified as an antiseptic by
the New South Wales chief chemist in the 1920s.

More than 80 per cent of the worlds tea tree oil is produced in
Australia. The major end-use of the oil is in antimicrobials and cosmetics,
with much of it being sold as pure oil to manufacturers of these products.
The cosmetics to which tea tree oil is added  and its typical
concentration in the formulation  are moisturisers (1.25%), body
lotions (1.25%), shampoos and conditioners, mouth washes (0.2%), face
cleansing washes (0.7%), hand washes (0.7%), soaps (2%), foot sprays (2%),
foot powders (1%), shaving products (2%), post-waxing treatments (1.25%) and
deodorants (2%). Because of its anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-viral and
anti-inflammatory activity, tea tree oil is also sold over-the counter as
neat oil or in 10-15% tea tree oil solutions.

Tea tree oil may be effective in a variety of dermatologic conditions
including dandruff, acne, lice, herpes, eczema and other skin infections. It
is used for treating athletes foot, various yeast infections, cuts and
burns, chest congestion, dispelling body odor, for sinus infection, colds,
persistent coughs, toothaches, and sunburn. It is also used to treat insect
bites.